J.P. Howell (shoulder) struck out four in 1 1/3 scoreless innings of work in a rehab outing at Rays' extended spring training on Friday.

He allowed two hits. As long as he does not experience any discomfort tomorrow, Howell will pitch again on Monday. For now, the Rays want him to make 10 rehab appearances before he is activated off the disabled list, which would put him on track to make his 2011 debut some time in mid-May.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) will begin his rehab assignment Friday in extended spring training.

Howell is expected to make 10 appearances over the course of the rehab assignment. He'll pitch in extended spring training on Friday and Monday before joining High-A Charlotte next Friday. We're expecting a return around mid-May.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) threw 35 pitches Tuesday in live batting practice.

Howell will now head to the Rays' extended spring training program in Port Charlotte before going out on a minor league rehab assignment. He is expected to make approximately 10 rehab appearances before being activated from the disabled list in mid-May.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) had a successful 34-pitch batting practice session Saturday and said afterward that he feels "like I could be in there tonight."

However, the Rays are going to give him about another month before activating him. Howell will throw batting practice again Tuesday and then head out for 8-10 rehab appearances. "I'm very pleased," Howell said. "Each time it gets a little better, and I get a little more confident with everything."

J.P. Howell (shoulder) on Saturday will throw the second of three planned batting practice sessions.

If they all go well, he'll then go out on a rehab assignment, possibly by next weekend. "My fastball and changeup are game ready," Howell said. "My curveball, I've had a tough time locating it." If he's right, the left-hander would provide a much-needed boost to the Rays bullpen.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) will throw 35 pitches in a batting practice session Wednesday to both left-handed and right-handed hitters.

"I'm pretty confident I can do it, and I'm ready to check this off the list," said Howell. The southpaw is scheduled to throw two more batting practice sessions during the Rays' upcoming homestand before going out on a minor league rehab assignment. Look for him to return in mid-May.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) threw all of his pitches in a 35-pitch bullpen session Sunday and is close to facing hitters.

He'll have similar 35-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and Sunday, with a 25-pitch all-fastballs session Friday. If those go well, the next step is to throw live batting practice. Howell is expected back sometime in May.

Rays placed RHP J.P. Howell on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder injury.

Howell is still in recovery mode from offseason shoulder surgery and is not expected to pitch in the major leagues until early May. The Rays are going with a closer-by-committee approach to open the season.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) is not expected to pitch in the major leagues until sometime in May.

"He's doing really well,'' said Rays manager Joe Maddon. "It's just a matter with this particular surgery to see it all the way through time wise and really let biology work. So inspite of him feeling really good and chomping at the bit, we're still going to be very careful.'' Howell, who is working his way back from shoulder surgery, is not expected to pitch in any exhibition games, but will make minor league rehab appearances in April. This means that Kyle Farnsworth, Jake McGee and Joel Peralta as the most likely candidates for saves to begin the season.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday that he anticipates the club using a committee of closers.

That could all change if one guy sticks out above the rest this spring. For now, J.P. Howell, Jake McGee, Joel Peralta and Kyle Farnsworth are the top candidates for the job. It's hard to recommend picking one in fantasy drafts until some results can be analyzed.

J.P. Howell said Monday that his surgically-repaired shoulder "feels great."

Good news. The Rays re-signed Howell to a one-year, $1.1 million contract in December, so they clearly believe he has something left. The left-hander will reportedly be ready to pitch in the major leagues by late-April or early-May.

J.P. Howell said Wednesday that he has had no setbacks from labrum surgery and expects to be pitching in the major leagues sometime around late-April or mid-May.

The 27-year-old left-hander missed the entire 2010 season following shoulder surgery, but tells Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times that he feels "great" and has put on 25 pounds. The Rays non-tendered Howell in December, but quickly re-signed him to a one-year, $1.1 million contract.

According to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, the Rays have re-signed left-hander J.P. Howell.

Howell was non-tendered earlier this month, but Rays VP Andrew Friedman immediatley expressed an interest in working out a new deal. The 27-year-old left-hander missed the entire 2010 season following shoulder surgery, but expects to be ready for the early part of the 2011.

Rays VP Andrew Friedman said he has made progress towards re-signing the recently non-tendered J.P. Howell.

In fact, Friedman said he is optimistic that a new deal could be wrapped up this week. Howell, 27, missed the entire 2010 season recovering from shoulder surgery, but recently said that he hopes to be ready for the early part of the 2011 season.

Rays non-tendered LHP J.P. Howell.

Howell is working his way back from shoulder surgery, so giving him a raise from the $1.8 million he made this past season would have been risky. Rays VP Andrew Friedman said he is optimistic that they'll be able to re-sign the left-hander.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) told Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times via text message that he is optimistic about his chances of being ready for the early part of the 2011 season.

"If I'm not ready by opening day, it won't be by much, maybe mid April!" he wrote. Howell, who underwent surgery on his throwing shoulder in May, was responding to Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman, who said Tuesday that there was no timetable for the left-hander's return. Howell's words are encouraging, especially as the Rays attempt to rebuild their bullpen, but we'll know a lot more when he arrives to camp.

Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman revealed Wednesday that J.P. Howell will not be ready for the start of the 2011 season.

Ouch. Howell underwent surgery in May, but is still in recovery mode and Friedman acknowledged that there is no timetable for his return. The left-hander posted a 2.84 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 69 relief appearances in 2009, but he skipped all of the 2010 season and is a question mark for 2011.

Rays transferred RHP J.P. Howell from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

Howell underwent season-ending surgery on his left shoulder in May. The roster move clears a spot on the 40-man for either Brad Hawpe or Rocco Baldelli, who are expected to be added to roster before Wednesday's game.

J.P. Howell underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday on his left shoulder.

The 27-year-old southpaw is hoping to be ready by the start of spring training next year. Howell did not throw a pitch in 2010 after posting an impressive 2.84 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP over 69 appearances in 2009.

J.P. Howell is set to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery "in the days ahead."

This confirms a report by Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times on Tuesday. Howell, 27, will undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum. He hopes to return at some point next season.